Ilona Lowen, wife of St. Louis City SC midfielder Eduard Lowen, has died at the age of 28 following a battle with brain cancer.
The club confirmed her passing in a statement shared on social media. “We grieve alongside Edu and all those impacted by this loss and ask the CITY community to keep them in your prayers during this difficult time.
“Ilona was a beautiful example of love, humility, and kindness and will be deeply missed,” the statement read.
Her battle with brain cancer began in 2024, following the onset of severe headaches.
Despite multiple surgeries, doctors later informed the couple that the cancer had progressed to an incurable Stage 4. She had previously been diagnosed with a benign brain tumour.
Eduard Lowen has not featured for the club this season, having spoken at their first match about his commitment to his wife and his desire to be by her side during her illness.
“We get a lot of support from family, from friends, but sometimes there are just moments and things that only I can take care of and I want to take care of because, obviously, I’m the husband,” he said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
“There are just certain responsibilities that sometimes force me or also I want to step away and take care of her. Sometimes there are just unexpected things that happen.”
In February, his St. Louis City team mates held up his No. 10 jersey before the start of a game between Charlotte FC and St. Louis City SC to share their support for the German midfielder.
Eduard Lowen, 29, played in his native Germany before signing with St. Louis City in 2022. In 71 regular-season MLS matches (62 starts), he has 17 goals and nine assists.